New Book Chronicles the Untold Stories of Bhopal’s Children, 40 Years After the Disaster

Forty years after one of the world’s deadliest industrial disasters, a new book ’40 Children of Bhopal’ delves deep into the ongoing impact of the Bhopal tragedy, sharing the voices of its youngest victims, children born long after the toxic gas leak, yet still suffering its devastating effects.

Published by Story Shikari publishers, the book will be released on 3rd December, and is available for pre-order now. The hardback book costs £40.00. 

The book has a foreword by Dr. Vandana Shiva, Indian activist, and is supported by the Bhopal Medical Appeal. 

They have provided the following endorsement: “The forty children profiled in Ms Kaur’s tenderly compiled book dream like children everywhere, except that somewhere they have found their love of music, of mangoes, of milk and motorbikes just happens to be unlike anywhere else on earth.

 In this city in which sickness and pain continues to multiply, the children’s unfolding struggles remain the backdrop and not the focus of the book, their everyday courage and will-to-be-whole personified by 17 year old Mantasha, who hopes one day to be not only a doctor who heals, but also one who dances. 

Mantasha is one of thousands of damaged children in Bhopal kept unrecognised and invisible, their existence ignored or denied, and Ms Kaur’s great achievement is to share with us their delight in being fully human, and fully here.”

The book’s author, Savraj Kaur (pictured above), born of Indian origin and an expert in disaster management, was deeply moved by the tragedy as both a researcher and a mother. 

She said: “While breastfeeding my own child, I interviewed mothers in Bhopal whose children were poisoned even before birth or through their breast milk. It kept me up at night, thinking about the environmental poisoning that still haunts these children decades later.”

On the night of December 2nd, 1984, 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, exposing over 500,000 people to deadly toxins. Thousands died immediately, while an estimated 20,000 more perished from long-term health complications. Yet, the disaster’s true horror lies in its lasting legacy—generations of children born with congenital disorders, severe respiratory and neurological issues, and developmental challenges. To this day, the site remains contaminated, with polluted groundwater continuing to affect the local population.

Through intimate stories and compelling photography, the book highlights the resilience of the Bhopal community and offers a platform for their untold stories. The author shares the story of Disha, now part of the Paralympic team, and Satyam, a child whose struggle embodies the ongoing suffering of many Bhopal survivors. 

Savraj says: “I wanted this book to focus on their strength and determination, not just their troubles.”

Despite the tragedy’s scale, Bhopal has often been overlooked on the global stage, overshadowed by other disasters like Chernobyl. 

Savraj said: “Bhopal’s disaster predominantly affected a poor, brown community, including many Muslims in India. The lack of attention given to it is appalling. Raising awareness about the ongoing consequences is crucial, not just for the survivors, but to ensure we prevent such disasters in the future.”

The book also sheds light on the limitations of India’s response. While stricter industrial safety regulations were introduced post-Bhopal, enforcement remains lax, and corporate accountability is still a challenge. Forty years later, communities continue to battle the consequences, with justice and proper rehabilitation efforts remaining insufficient.

Through her writing, Savraj Kaur connects readers to the daily realities of Bhopal’s children. The author reflects on her experience of meeting these children, saying, “There were many challenges in writing this book, but I was driven to share their stories, which are a testament to human resilience.”

All proceeds from the book will support the rehabilitation centre in Bhopal, where many of the children featured in the book receive ongoing care. 

Savraj says: “My husband and I have been supporting the centre, and I hope this book will raise much-needed awareness and funds to help improve the lives of Bhopal’s newest and youngest victims.”

The hardback coffee table book is designed to be both a vibrant, accessible resource and a powerful reminder of the environmental injustice that continues to afflict Bhopal’s community. 

Savraj notes: “I wanted it to be something that people could pick up, explore, and learn from, even years from now. It’s a project born out of love, and I hope it will inspire others to listen to and support the children of Bhopal.”